Statsbygg leder totalentreprise

The project involves the construction of a new research station in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, named Troll Ny forskningsstasjon. Statsbygg has been tasked by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment to carry out the preliminary project phase and execute the total contract, which includes design, building, energy production, supply of user equipment, and demolition of the existing facility. The work is performed in close cooperation with the Norwegian Polar Institute, responsible for transport and logistics coordination critical for the project's success in this remote and extreme environment.

7300 m² med prefabrikkerte bygg

The new research station will have a gross floor area of approximately 7,300 square meters and is designed to accommodate up to 65 users. The facility will include operational areas, residential and welfare sections, research laboratories, meeting rooms, a kitchen and canteen, emergency response facilities, and technical rooms. Emphasis is placed on functionality and interaction among buildings and users to withstand the demanding polar conditions. Prefabrication is considered a practical approach to address the project's complexity and minimize on-site construction time within the short Antarctic building season.

Milliardkontrakt til Skanska og konsulenter

A significant contract valued at around one billion Norwegian kroner has been awarded to Skanska as total contractor, including four specialized consultants: LPO Arkitekter (architecture), Instanes AS (geotechnical engineering), Rambøll (building and water engineering), and Norconsult (building physics). Skanska brings experience from arctic construction projects on Svalbard and Jan Mayen, vital for successfully managing the design, material installation, and construction challenges in such an extreme climate. The contract specifies a 14-month execution period with a collaborative model ensuring integration of social responsibility by including enterprises with social and professional inclusion mandates.

Fornybarny energi med vind og sol

The project has a strong environmental focus, aiming to implement green energy solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs. Norway’s first wind turbine deployed in Antarctica, installed near the old Troll station in early 2025, serves as a test to evaluate wind energy viability in polar conditions. Alongside solar panels, the data collected will support decisions on energy production for the new station and may pave the way for a larger wind park. Knowledge gained from the project is intended to be shared internationally to help other polar research stations transition away from fossil fuels.

Kompleks logistikk fra Norge til Antarktis

Logistics represent one of the most critical challenges for the project. All building materials and modules-around 600 containers-must be shipped from Norway to the ice edge via ship, then transported over 250-300 kilometers by sleds and specialized snow vehicles to the construction site. Personnel access is managed via flights to Troll Airfield, routed through Cape Town. Given Antarctica’s harsh climate and changing ice conditions, the Norwegian Polar Institute is continuously adjusting transport capacity, equipment, and routes to ensure safety and operational feasibility. The overall transport operation, including loading, over-ice hauling, and unloading, is a major multidisciplinary effort requiring detailed planning and risk mitigation.

Venter på godkjent tidsplan

The project timeline is currently awaiting approval by the Norwegian Storting (Parliament) after contract signing, with the preliminary project expected to complete in 2026 and formal project proposals submitted by early 2027. Construction is expected to span multiple years due to the short seasonal window for work on-site, and several environmental and logistical factors will require ongoing adaptation throughout the build phase. Continuous collaboration between Statsbygg, Skanska, Norwegian Polar Institute, and the consultant team is imperative for addressing the unique challenges posed by the Antarctica environment and ensuring delivery of a functional, sustainable, and safe research facility.